Thomas Smith family christening dress, Portland, ca. 1730

Rev. Thomas Smith, who served as pastor of Portland's First Parish Church from 1727 to 1761, and his wife, Sarah Tyng, had eight children.

This christening dress, the shape of which resembles adult clothing, has appliqued needle lace over the overdress, which is made of linen or fine wool twill.

The Smiths were relatively wealthy for Portland. A history of the church notes that when Smith accepted the call to serve as minister, his salary of 70 pounds was a third of the entire town budget. He also received money from the collection. The church built a house for the Smiths and supplied them with firewood as well.